Surah Al-Hajj (22) — Ayah 31
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
➋ { وَ مَنْ يُّشْرِكْ بِاللّٰهِ فَكَاَنَّمَا خَرَّ مِنَ السَّمَآءِ :} Whoever remains firm upon Tawheed is, in terms of elevation and honor, as if he is in the sky, for he worships only Allah and obeys only His command. When he commits shirk, he falls from this lofty position; now, either the birds will snatch him away on the way, meaning he will fall into the hands of idol worshippers or the attendants of those living or dead saints whom people have made into gods, or the wind will cast him down in a far-off place, meaning if he does not fall into anyone's hands, he has already become distrustful of Allah, and then his desires will throw him into a very deep and distant place, that is, he will become a complete denier and atheist. In both cases, there is no way for him to be saved.
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
31. 2 That is, just as large birds swiftly swoop down upon small animals and tear them apart, or winds throw someone to far-off places and no one can find any trace of him. In both cases, destruction is his fate. In the same way, a person who worships only Allah attains the highest level of purity and clarity in terms of sound nature and purity of soul, and as soon as he commits shirk, it is as if he throws himself from a height into lowliness, and from cleanliness into filth and mud.
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
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The Literal Meaning of Hanif:
Hunafaa is the plural of Hanif. And Hanif means to incline towards steadfastness by leaving all false paths (Mufradat al-Quran). And a Hanif is a person who, abandoning all false ways, comes to the straight path of Allah Almighty. And that straight path is that in the essence and attributes of Allah, in worship and actions, nothing whatsoever is considered even slightly as a partner to Him.
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Shirk is an Insult to Humanity, and Its Example is Like Someone Thrown Down from a Height:
Man has been created nobler and superior to all creatures. Therefore, it is only fitting for him to bow his head solely before his Creator and Master, to seek his needs only from Him, and to worship Him alone. Now, if he worships anything other than Allah, bows his head before it, or seeks his needs from it, it means that a superior being has bowed before something of a lesser rank. Or, if he bows before another human, it also means that he is bowing before a creature as needy as himself, and this too is a humiliation of humanity. The example of such a person is like one who has fallen from the heights of Tawheed into the depths of Shirk. And now he has fallen into the hands of other polytheists like himself, who will sometimes advise him to go to one door, sometimes to another threshold. Until these predatory birds will not leave him until they have completely misled and made him faithless. And even if he somehow escapes from them, the desires of his own self in opposition to Allah are enough to throw him into the pit of misguidance. And following one's own desires is, in itself, also a kind of Shirk. As the Divine Word says: ﴿اَفَرَءَيْتَ مَنِ اتَّخَذَ اِلٰهَهٗ هَويٰهُ﴾ [43: 25] That is, even if he does not fall into the hands of other polytheists, his own self is enough to mislead him.
